Card punching mechanism



N 16, 1954 R s, RUFFlN 2,694,449

- CARD PUNCHING MECHANISM Filed June 26, 195:5 5 sheets-sheet 1 llllml D E Q h n INVENTOR ATTORNEY NOV 16, 1954 R. s. RUFFIN CARD PUNCHING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1953 INVENTOR ,Rm/Mono 5. EuFF//v ATTORNEY Nov. 16, 1954 R. s.RuFF1N CARD PUNCHING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 26, 1953 INVENTOR EA YMo/vo 5. iuf-F/N u LIQ mv uw ww Imm .y nh mw .wh wh @ww Pn ATTORNEY 2,694,449 .Patented Nov. `16, 1954 CARD PUNCHING MECHANISM Raymond S. Ruffin, Richmond, Va., assigner to G. Tucker .'Smth, Coleman Wortham, Jr., and .Fielding Li Williams, Richmond, Va., trustees .ApplicationV .lune 26, 1953Serial No. 364,359

16 Claims. (Cl. 164-86) ThisninventionI relates to a card punehing'device and is an. improvement over the structure shown in the cepending application of Montgomery Osborne Jones and vRaymond S. `Ruflin, Serial No. `275,732.2, tiled-March l0, 1952.

Iny the copending application referred to, there is disclosed a novel'type of card punching device, particularly intended for the punchingof postal money' order cards, whereby these cards may be'passedthroughautomatic business machines for the-recordingthereof. Theprior device comprises a mainsupporthavinga .cross head mounted to travel longitudinally thereofand apunching unit movable transversely of the supporting structure and carried by the cross head,'and it further comprises `means for providing an accurate step-by-step movement lof the cross head and punching deviceto successive columns of indicia on the bard. The step-by-step movement' is accomplished by first operating they punch with respect to a right-hand column of indicia, releasing the punch,pull ing the cross headto the right to its limit of movement, and then releasing it. This movement v"of the 'cross head would control positioning means'whereby, when the'cross head is released, itwill advance one step to position the punch over the next column of indicia. This operation isy repeated for punching openings at desiredy points in each column of indicia.

An important object of the present invention is` to provide a cardzpunching device for the same general lpurpose as the device shown in the copendingapplication referred to; but wherein it is unnecessary for the operator to 'move the carriage in order to effect the positioning of the'punch over each `successive column of indicia, the-punching, and thereleasing of the punch effecting such step-by-step operation.

A further object' is to provide such a device wherein, after the various columnsl of indicia have been selectively punched, the positioning means for the punch may be quickly and easily reset to its normal starting position.

Afurther object is to provide a novel positioning device with means biasing it toward a normal starting position whereby, after the columns of indicia haveall been selectively punched, the positioning device may be released and will automatically return to its initial position.

A 'further' object'is to provide adevice of the character just Vreferred to,v wherein the resetting is accomplished with lease andzfacility by the simultaneous performing of two operations by a single/hand of the operator, namely, the releasing of an advancing paWl and the releasing of the positioning device by movement ofy the carriage back to'al starting position, thepositionig device under such conditions moving back yto its initial position'and beingstopped in such position-ready for the beginningof the punchingof the next card.

fA further object isto provide: common. means operative for advancing the positioning device `after each punchingoperationand for releasing the punching device for return movement to its initial-position.

A further object isito provide for a mechanical stepby:step advancing of the carriage with-its punching device to positions over successive columns of indicia,'and Wherein such advancing operation takes place after. the punch is released from the card, thus preventingany tearing or distortion of theI cardA at a perforation. lOther 'objects and advantages of the inventionvwill become apparent vduring the 'course of the following de-. scrption.

In the drawings I` have shown' one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Fig. 1 is a planfview of the device; Fig. 2 is a transverse'sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of a `pair of lever arms associated with the step-by-step advancing mechamsm;

Fig. 4 is a horizontalsectional view on line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is. a transversefsectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinalsectional view taken substantially lon line 6--6 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 isa bottom planzfview of` av portion of the stepby-step mechanism shown in Fig.,4, the parts-being shown at their .limits `of movement in the directionof lresetting of the positioning device;

Fig. 8 is a'detail' sectional viewjon line '8--8 of Fig. l, parts being omitted; and

Fig. 9 isa transverse yvertical sectional -vicw on line 9 9 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the` drawings, the numeral 10 designates the body Iof. the device as -a-whole,` comprising a flat plate 11 of generally'rectangular` shapefand vof -a size determinedin accordancelwith the-cards to be punched. The present deviceis particularly intended for use in punching money order cards, and the body 'of the device and the elements `associatedxtherewith aresized accordingly. At opposite edges, thebody is `provided with upstanding parallel anges 12 spacedapart in accordance with the width of thecardsto 'berpunched The plate 11 is provided with a rectangular opening 13 of a width slightly less'than the distance `tbetween the anges 12 as ShOWninFg. 2.

`A card is adapted to besupported on the plate 11, as previously stated;l vThis card :is Vinserted* from the left-hand end of the device as-viewed :in Figs. l and 6, and to limitmovement Vof the cardto its proper position, a stop plate 15 is provided 'adjacent theright-hand end of the device. This plate` issecured to the plate 11, and above the stop Aplatefis arranged .a guide plate 16 which curves upwardlyrand .forwardly to the left, -as viewed in Fig. 6, Vto a slight extent tofacilitate the linsertion of the enteringend'of the card therebeneath. At the other end of the bodyris arranged a positioning and 'holding down plate 17'hingedrwith :respecttof the plate `by being connected through -apivot: pin 1S tto a hinge. member 19 secured against the bottom .of the .plate y'1'1 by screws Z0 (Fig. 6). A plate 21, havingza iingerpiece 22,'is secured to the .plate 17and4 this plate, when the device is operative occupies the'position shown 5in Figs. fl and 6. To facilitate the -pickingup of the 'card after a punching operation is completed and the .plate 17 has .been swung upwardly and to the left to an inoperative position, the plate 'y 11 is cut away at opposite` edges as at 23.

VA-carriageindicated .as a whole kby. the numeral 26 is arranged 'above thefbody 10. This carriage comprises a bottom plate 27 arrangedbeneath the plate 11. The plate 27 extends across fand substantially beyond the limits of the opening 13 longitudinally of the device in any positionV of the carriage, as will become apparent. A diecarrying plate 28 is fixed-to the plate 27,and its dimensiomlongitudinally of the'body 101is substantially less than4 the dimension of the opening 13 and is movable longitudinallyzof thedevice'iinvsuch opening, as will become apparent-below. 'The'left-hand edge -of' the plate 28 istaperedas :at :29 to .facilitate thelsliding of a card thereover when the deviceis'to vbe used. The -plate 28 substantially fits; against the longitudinal edges of. the opening 13 to` slide with'` respect tof-such edges, as shown in Fig. 2. The plate 28is provided lwith an opening 30 extending throughout the greater portion of the dimension thereof transversely of the device, and a die plate 31 is solderedforotherwise'securedto the'plate 20 and is provided 'with a :plurality of' uniformly-spaced die openings 31A-'preferably A'rectangular and of a'size corresponding to the size of 'openings commonlyz'employed in business machine cards.

.- The bottom plate .27 isprovided with :an opening33 in verticalalignment with-eachof the die openingss32: so :that

pieces of the card punched in a manner to be described will fall freely through the plate 27. At opposite sides of the device, the plate 27 is provided with upstanding flanges 35 slidably fitting the outer surfaces of the anges 12. The plate 27 is provided throughout a portion of the length of the flanges 35 with outstanding horizontal flanges 36. At the ends thereof, each flange 35 is provided with a relatively long lip 37 bent inwardly over and slidably tngacgiig the upper edge of the associated flange 12 (Figs.

The carriage further comprises a at, relatively thick, and rather wide bar 38 extending transversely of the device and fixed as at 39 to the flanges 36. The plate 38 is provided with a series of equidistantly spaced, preferably circular openings 39y adjacent one edge thereof and with a second series of circular openings 40 adjacent the opposite side thereof for a purpose to be described. It will be apparent that the plate27 and its flanges 35, together with the plate 38, form a structure completely surrounding the body 10 and engaging surfaces thereof for substantial lengths so that the carriage is accurately guided for longitudinal movement relative to the body 10. The lips 37 assistin guiding the parts in snug sliding engagement.

A punch unit is mounted to slide longitudinally of the plate 38 and to move with the carriage longitudinally of the body 10. The punch unit comprises a body block 42 (Fig. 6) fixed to an upper guide 43 extending over and around the plate 38 and cooperating with lower guide elements 44 and 45 to be guided for sliding movement longitudinally of the plate 38. A vertical guide 46 is fixed to the forward or left-hand end of the block 42, as viewed in Fig. 6, and is also secured to the forward end of the guide 43. Within the guide 46 is slidably arranged a vertically movable punch element 47 having a sloped lower end (Fig. 2) to facilitate its cutting through a card arranged over the die plate 31.

The upper end of the punch element 47 is fixed to a push button 50. To this push button 50 is also connected the upper end of a plunger rod 51 to the lower portion of which is slidable through an opening 52 formed in the block 42 and continuing through the guides 43 and 44 and adapted to align with any opening 39 in the plate 38. A spring 53 surrounds the plunger rod 51 to urge the push button 50 upwardly to normally position the parts of the punch unit as shown in Fig. 6. Under such conditions, the lower end of the plunger rod 51 is arranged above the plate 38, and accordingly the punch unit is movable across the device, that is, longitudinally of the plate 38.

A thumb seat 56 is arranged above the block 42 and is provided at opposite sides with depending flanges 57 secured to such block. The thumb seat 56 is flanged as at 58, the'righchand flange as viewed in Fig. 6 preferably being h1gher than the side flanges to provide greater facility in resetting the mechanism, as will become apparent below. A s shown in Figs. 2, 6, and 8, the push button 50 is provided at opposite sides with depending flanges 60, the rear portions of which project beneath the thumb seat 56 and engage such seat, as in Fig. 6, to limit upward movement of the push button 50.

A s previously stated, the punch unit is movable longitudinally of the plate 38, and accordingly it will be apparent that the punch element is movable into alignment with any die opening 32. The plunger rod 51 prevents substantial downward movement of the push button unless the plunger 51 is properly aligned with an opening 39 in the plate 38. To assist in positioning the parts, the block 42 `is provided with a spring-pressed detent 62 (Fig. 6) which snaps into a selected opening 40, according to the die opening 32 through which the card is to be punched.

An index plate 64 is arranged forwardly or to the left of the plate 38 and is spaced therefrom as shown in Fig. 1. This plate has its longitudinal edges turned about an index card 65carry1ng suitable indicia for facilitating the use of the device. The index card 65 is utilized in conjunction with a plate 66 carried-by the flanges 57 and apertured as at 67 to render visible the desired indicia on the card 65.

In conjunction with the punching of postal money orders the index card 65 will be provided with indicia as shown in Fig. l. These indicia are made up of two columns 7 0 and 71, the former of which is numbered from iop to bottom, as viewed in Fig. l, from to "9." The column 71 is made up, reading from bottom to top, of the initials or abbreviations of the months from January to October. Above the "0 of column 70 and the initial O for October, the index card carries abbreviations for November and December, as indicated by the numerals 72 and 73 respectively. Each number in column 70 and the adjacent designations for the months from January to October are arranged opposite openings 39, while the Nov and Dec designations are arranged respectively opposite the last two openings 39 toward the top of the plate 38, as viewed in Fig. l.

The index plate 64 is fixed at one side as at 75 to the adjacent flange 36, and is secured at its opposite side as at 76 to a plate 77, secured as at 78 to the adjacent flange 36. To such plate is connected an auxiliary index plate 79 (Fig. 1) having an index card 30 with indications showing relative positions of the dollars and cents columns with the adjacent initials M O 81, which stands for money order. Adjacent the index card 80 and operating in conjunction therewith is a pointer 82 extending downwardly of the outer edge of the index plate 79 and provided with a bottom portion 83 (Fig. 4) attached to a plate 84 secured as at 85 to the adjacent flange 36 of the body. The plate 84 accordingly is stationary with respect to the body, and at its left-hand end, it is provided with an integral projection 86 (Fig. 4) for a purpose to be described. The index card 80 provides a visual indication from which the operator may determine at all times over which column of numbers or other indicia on the card the punch element 47 is arranged.

The plate 77 (Fig. l) carries an arm 90 pivoted as at 91 to the plate 77 and provided at its free end with a small upstanding handle 92. During the first ten months of the year the arm 90 may remain in the position shown in Fig. l, and when the carriage 26 is pushed upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 1, the arm 90 acts as a stop engaging the adjacent end of the guide 43 to position the punch over the O of the index card 65, thus facilitating the use of the device. During November and December, when it is necessary to use the eleventh and twelfth die openings 32, counting from the bottom of the device in Fig. l, the arm 90 may be swung to one side.

The side anges of the thumb seat 56 are engaged by the thumb to move the punch unit longitudinally of the plate 38, and the rear or right-hand flange 58 is utilized when the entire carriage is to be moved rearwardly or to the right in Figs. 1 and 6. Ease in the movement of the thumb seat transversely of the device is facilitated by a finger-engaging plate 96 secured as at 97 to the top flange 36, as viewed in Fig. l. For example, the forefinger and middle finger of the right hand may be engaged in the two notches of the plate 96 while the thumb engages the thumb seat 56. Bearing edgewise against the plate 96 facilitates movement of the thumb seat 56 longitudinally of the plate 38, by movement of the operators thumb.

The carriage 26 is urged toward the left in Figs. l, 4,

q and 6 by means of a pair of springs 100, most clearly shown in Fig. 4. These springs are arranged adjacent opposite edges of the device, and each has one end connected as at 101 to the plate 27 and its other end connected as at 102 to the plate 11.

It will become apparent that, upon the completion of each punching operation, the carriage is advanced toward the left by the springs 100. The plate 27 is provided with a small plate 104 (Figs. 4 and 6) which extends beyond the advancing edge of the plate 27 and is spaced from the plate 11. Within this space is arranged a stop finger 105 extending beyond the advancing edge of the plate and adapted successively to engage stop surfaces 106, 107, 108, 109, 110 and 111 formed in a positioning wheel 112. The wheel 112 is pivoted to the plate 11 as at 113 and each of the stop surfaces '106, etc. is tangent to a circle having a center at the axis of rotation of the plate 112. The surfaces 106 et seq. extend progressively closer to the center of rotation and, as each is brought into alignment with the stop fingers 105, the springs 100 advance the carriage one step toward the left. Each of the stop surfaces 106 et seq. is provided at the counterclockwise limit thereof with a stop shoulder 114 engageable with the stop finger as further referred to below. Counterclockwise of the stop surface 106, the wheel 112 is provided with a stop shoulder 115, the purpose of which also will be referred to below.

Beneath the wheel 112 is arranged a substantially trangular plate 118 slotted longitudinally of the device as at 119, for a purpose to be described. The plate 118 is fixed with respect to the body plate 11 by one of the .screws 20 (Fig. 6), a spacer 120 being arranged between meng-449 the hinge1element19 and thep1ate1118.: fThezpivotf screw orbolt 113 for the wheel.112valso'zentendsithrough Vand assists in positioning the plate 118.

'1n the space between the`-vheeli11'2\and Vplate118 is `arranged a lever arm 122 pivotedito theplate 118 as at 123. At its'free end, thearmz122 carries aspringfpawl 1:24 successively .engageablewith teeth 125 formed in the .adjacentportion of the wheel1112. .A spring 126 isz-connected between the free end of the arm 122 and the plate -86 to tend to swing the arm 122 in a counterclockwise direction.

A'torsion spring 127 (Fig. 7) has .one end connected as at 128 to the wheel 112 and its other end connected aslat'129 to the plate 118.` This spring-biases the wheel'.

112 for rotation in a clockwise direction.

Referring to Figs. l and 6,` it will bevnoted that the right-hand end of the device is provided .with an -operating.l member 132 extending'across the width of the device and bent intermediate its ends to form a horizontal plate 133 and a vertical plate 134-extendingdownward-ly beyond the right-hand end of the machine. The plate 132 is carried by a hinge 133 the lower portion of which is supported or a bar 134, this bar and the adjacent portions of the plates 11, 15, and 16 being connected together by rivets or the like, 135. Beneath the plate 11, the depending plate 134 is provided with a boss 136 k(note particularly Fig. .4) to one end of which is pivotally connected an operating rod 137. This rod extends beneath the plate 27 and has its other end extending into the slot 119 and connected as at 138 to thelever arm 122. A keeper plate 139 secured to the plate 118 for bridging the slot 119 prevents the rod end 138 from becoming disconnected from the arm 122.

At opposite sides of the block 42 of the punching unit are arranged levers. 142 pivotally connected intermediate their ends to the block 42 by a transverse pivoted pin 143. The forward arms 144 of theselevers turn upwardly as at 145 to engage beneath the push button 50. The other arms 146 of the levers 142 have upwardly extending contact ends 147 engaging thebottom of the plate 133, this engagement taking place in any selected position of the punching unit transversely of the device, as will be apparent.

The structure described above constitutes all of the operating mechanism of the device, and such mechanism is mounted on a suitable support. Corner posts 150 are fixed at their upper yends to the body plate 11 and are attached at their lower ends to a bottom plate 151, preferably formed of relatively heavy glass or plastic for the visual examination of the operating parts of the mechanism upon the inversion of the device.--\Supporting legs 152 are secured at their upper ends to the plate 151 and are provided at their lower ends with rubber or similar feet 153.

Operation The parts normally occupy the positions shown in Figs. 4 and 6 and also shown in Fig. l except that there is no normal position for the punch unit 26, which may be arranged at any desired point transversely of the device. The plate 17 is swung upwardly and the card to be punched, for example a money order card, is inserted into the device, the leading edge passing over the top of the die plate 31 and thence beneath the guide plate 16 until such edge engages squarely against the edge of the stop plate 15 (Fig. 6). The card will now be accurately positioned for punching, and the plate 17 is then swung back to its normal operative position. Under such conditions the punch unit 47 will be arranged over the column on the card representing the month in which the money order is issued. Assuming it`to be in the month of April, the punch unit 26 will be positioned transversely of the device as shown in Fig. l, whereupon the downward force exerted on the push button Sllwill effect the perforating of the card at the desired point in the column referred to.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 8, it will be apparent that the punch unit 47 and its push button 50 will have occupied the position shown in Fig. 6 and when the punching operation is performed, the parts will be moved to the position shown in S. Downward'movernent of the push button rocks the levers 142 and the ends 147 of theilever arms 146 will rock the plate 132 to the positionv shown in Fig. 8. This operation pushes the rod 137 .(Fig. 4) to rock the lever arnr122to the; position shownfinFig.

.-lgfla'lthoughviit should befborne rin-mindr that thenstop fingerrl's occupies the yposition shown `in such tgure for"afditerentopurposa as .'described1below. The perfomance of therstspunchingoperation referred to will have'started with the iingery 1105s in thepositi'o'n. shown in Fig. 4..l The 'swingingof the-lever'armi 122fwill release the uspring `pawl-124 from thetooth1125 with which it is engaged in Fig. 4 andwillv swing it'substantially' beyond the-next tooth andfoutwardlyof the` -radial limits of such teethll-When the push button 50 is'released-tol return to the position shown in Fig. 6, the spring 126 (Fig. 4)lwill return the klever arm122 toiits'normalposition and in so 1oving,-itiwil1 cause the pawl- 124 to-enga'gel the*` next adjacentV tooth to the left in Fig. 4 to rotate the positioning'wheel 1-12l in counterclockwise direction.

- In this' connection'it should befpointed' out that the torsion sprin'g129- biases the Wheel 112 for clockwise rotation, but since the spring 126-is stronger than the spring'127, the -pawl 124'will eiect rotation of the'wheel 112 in the mannerA described and the stop *surface 107 `will be brought into alignment with the stop-'fingerl105. This linger will escape over the `shoulder "at the lbottom of thesurface 106, and the springs 'will move theicarriage to its'second position with the Apunch element 47 aligned over the cents column -on thecard.

4-Ass'uming 'that the moneyl order is to be made out in the vamount 'of v$128.61, the operator'will nowmove the punchunit 26 upwardlyas viewed in Fig.' l until the nuineraiy "1 lappear-s inthe window 67. If the device is not accurately positioned, the pin 'S3 (Fig. 6) cannot enter the proper vopening 39 in the plate 38 and the punch cannot be operated. However, the spring detent 62 will accurately-position the punch unit-'if the latter is lmoved approximately to theproper piace.

The operator'will again push the button 50 to per-forate the card through the numeral l in the cents column and, as before, the punchingoperation rocks the plate 132,- advances the pawl 124 beyond the next tooth'125, and upon the releasing ofthe-push-button, the :spring 126 will return the arm 122 to normal position. and the stop iinger lwilll snap over the shoulder at the bottom of the surface 107 into engagement with the surface 108, the carriage again being moved by the springs 100.l The operator willnowmove the punch-unit 26 intov they position shown in Fig. l, with the window 67 registering with the'numeral 6.1 The punchingoperationis again performed in the ysame manner, the'carriage' is advanced one step,with the stop ingerengaging the surface'109, and the carriageis moved to 'expose the numeral 8 in the Window '67 and the punch isagain operated.

--The card will'fnow be punched for $8.61 and the punch will be movedto the lOs column over the-card, whereupon the-unit 26 will be moved to register the-window 67 with the numeral 2, whereupon the `punching operation will be repeated las before, and the card will lbe punched for the desired amount Vof $28.61. A The device is-capable 'ofadvancing to morefcolumns with the-illustration shown,'andlany'numberof columns may be punched within reasonable limits in accordance with the' design of the device.

- Each operation of the push button, as described above, rocks the plate 132 Lto swing' the lever arm 122 which not only'moves the pavvll 124 to lthe left in' Fig. 4 but also swings it radially outwardly to the position shown, somewhatV exaggerated, in Fig. "7,`v the free end of the pawl being arranged radially outwardly of the'outerm'ost limits of the teeth 125. This is important in the lresetting of the device, as will becomel apparent.v When the punching of the card has' been completed, the operator'will place thethumb'of his right-handvv in the-thumb seat S6 (Fig. 6), and will place one or more ngers of the same hand against the depending plate portion 134 below the pivot 133".` By `squeezing the 'thumb'andiingers'V toward each other'in afsingle operation, theoperator will move the carriage toward the right to" retract` the carriagel one step beyond the position in Fig. 4, the finger 165 vclearing the shoulder 114.- At the same time, the rocking of the plate 132 by the :finger of the rightl hand will move the lever arm 122to the lposition shownin Fig. 7. Thefwhee'l 112 will now be completelyreleased and turning-movementof this wheel will be `resisted ysolely by the negligiblefriction of thel parts. Thev wheel, 112 Ithen will be 'turned by the-torsion spring 127 lin 'aclockwise directiontothe position shown Lin Fig. .7, the stop finger 10S fnow: engaging. theshoulder:l 115 tto"'.limit `iturning movement of the wheel 112 beyond the position shown in Fig. 7. The parts will now be released, whereupon the spring 126 will return the lever arm 122 to its normal position and in this movement, the spring pawl 124 will rotate the wheel 112 one step to the position shown in Fig. 4 with the finger 105 engaging the surface 106. The device is now completely reset, ready for the starting of the next punching operation.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present construction provides novel means for progressively punching desired positions in successive columns of indicia on a card, the advancing of the punch element to successive columns being an automatic function of the punching operation. Particular attention is invited to the fact that the advancing of the wheel 112 to each successive position occurs upon the return movements. of the parts to normal position after a punching operation, and occurs only after the punch element has been completely withdrawn from the card. In other Words, it is during the last portion of the return movement of the punch element to normal position that the finger 105 escapes over the shoulder of the next stop surface 107, et seq.; and accordingly the carriage is prevented from advancing until the punch element is completely withdrawn from the card. This prevents any tearing or other distortion of the card, which would occur upon the advancing of the card before the complete withdrawal of the punch element. It also will be apparent that the high degree of visibility of the indicia on the card 65 reduces to a minimum any chance of error in the punching of a card, this chance of error being reduced substantially below that which has been found to be present in conventional perforating devices for perforating cards, used in ordinary business machines. It further will be apparent that the resetting of the device is extremely simple and requires merely one operation by one hand of the operator to return the carriage and the wheel 112 to their starting points. The carriage will be pulled to its limit of movement to the right in Fig. 6, as determined by engagement of the right-hand edge of the plate 28 with the right-hand limit of the opening 13. Accordingly, it is impossible to pull the carriage too far to the right.

The portions of the anges 60 underlying the thumb seat 56 limit upward movement dof the push button 50, and this also defines the limit of turning movement of the levers 142 and plate 132, thus also defining the limits of movement of the rod 137 (Fig. 4) and the pawl 124. Thus it is unnecessary to specifically provide means for limiting movement of any of these parts.

The flanges of the thumb seat 56 facilitate movement of the punch unit 26 and this facility is increased by the provision of the nger engaging plate 96 since, by pressing the foreinger and middle finger of the right hand against the edge of this plate, it is much easier to rapidly and accurately move the punch unit 26 in either direction than is true by movement of the entire forearm of the operator if the thumb is engaged with the thumb seat and the operators hand is otherwise entirely free.

The device accordingly embodies numerous operational advantages and a money order may be quickly punched by the issuing oficial in a post oliice. The chance of error is reduced and substantial economies are effected by the elimination of special machines and employees for punching money order cards with the amounts lled in by pen in the blank spaces provided for this purpose at the issuing post otlices.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention shown in the drawings is to be taken as illustrative only, the scope of the invention being defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A card punching device comprising a body, a structure slidably connected to said body, said body and said structure constituting a pair of relatively linearly movable units, a punch element carried by said structure and mounted for vertical movement, there being a die plate beneath said punch element and over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, a movable member carried by one of said units, and means rendered effective by said punch element upon upward movement of the latter after having been moved downwardly to punch the card to present a different portion of said member to engagement with a portion of the other 8 unit to effect and limit said linear movement in one direction with said punch element arranged over a different point on the card.

2. A card punching device comprising a body, a structure slidably connected to said body for linear movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said structure and mounted for vertical movement, there being a die beneath said punch element and over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, a movable member carried by said body and provided with a plurality of successive steps, said structure having a normal starting position in which a portion thereof engages one of said steps, and means rendered operable by said punch element upon upward movement thereof after a downward card-punching movement for moving said member to present the next step to engagement with said portion of said structure to limit said linear movement in one direction with said punch element arranged over a point spaced in said direction from the point at which said card-perforating movement of said punch element has perforated the card.

3. A card punching device comprising a relatively flat card-supporting body, a structure slidably connected to said body for linear movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said structure and mounted for vertical movement, means biasing said punch element upwardly to a limit of movement, there being a die beneath said punch element and over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, means biasing said structure for linear movement in one direction relative to said body, a pair of positioning devices one carried by said body and the other by said structure, one of said devices comprising an engaging element vand the other comprising a stop element having successive steps engageable by said stop element to limit linear movement of said structure in said direction at progressively dilerent points, and means operative .upon movement of said punch element upwardly to said limit of movement after a punching operation to position said engaging element for contact with the next successive step of said stop element.

4. A card punching device comprising a body, a structure slidably connected to said body, a punch element carried by said structure and mounted for vertical movement, there beingy a die beneath said punch element and over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, a movable member carried by said body and provided with a plurality of successive steps, said structure having a normal starting position in which a portion thereof engages one of said steps, means biasing said punch element upwardly to a normal limit of movement, an actuating device engageable with said movable member to positively advance it one step upon return movement of said punch element approximately to its normal position to present the next of said steps for engagement by said portion of said structure, means biasing said structure for linear movement in one direction to engage said portion thereof with said steps, said structure being movable in the opposite direction beyond its normal position to release said portion thereof from said movable member, and means operative when said carriage is in its last-named position for reversing movement of said movable member.

5. A device constructed in accordance with claim 4 wherein the means for reversing the movement of said movable member comprises a return spring constantly biasing said movable member to a starting position.

6. A card punching device comprising a body, a structure slidably connected to said body for linear movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said structure and mounted for vertical movement, there being a die beneath said punch element and over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, means biasing said punch element upwardly to a normal limit of movement, a pivoted stop plate carried by said body and provided with a plurality of successive steps one of which is a starting step and the remainder of which progress around said wheel in one direction, means biasing said structure for linear movement in one direction toward said plate, said structure having a portion normally engaging said starting step, and means operative as said punch element approaches said normal limit of movement after having moved downwardly to perforatel the card for positively/moving said wheel to bringthe .next successive step into alignmennwith: sai-dportion of: said structure to be, engaged thereby.l

7. A device constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein the means for moving said wheel comprises an arm, a pawl carried by saidl arm, said wheel beingy provided with ratchet teeth engageableby said pawl toeiect saidmovement of said wheel, means biasingsaid arm for movement in a directionto eectsaid-movement of said wheel, and means operabley `by said punch element in downward movement thereof /-for moving lsaid arm in the other direction whereby, yuponnpward movement of said punch element, said last-named biasing means will move said wheel.y

8. A card punching de vicey comprisinga body, a structure; slidably connected to said-body for linear movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said structure and mounted for verticalfmovement, there being a die beneath said punch element and "over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, means biasing said punch element upwardly to a normal limit of movement, a pivoted stop plate carried by said body and provided with a plurality of successive steps one of which is a starting step and the remainder of which progress around said wheel in one direction and are arranged progressively closer to the pivot axis of said stop plate, means biasing said structure for linear movement in one direction toward said plate, said structure having a portion normally engaging said starting step, said stop plate having ratchet teeth, a pawl movable in one direction to engage one of said teeth and in the other direction to be released therefrom, means having mechanical connection with said punch element to move said pawl in said other direction upon downward movement of said punch element, and means for moving said pawl in said one direction when said punch element moves upwardly and approaches said normal limit of movement.

9. A device constructed in accordance with claim 8 wherein the means for moving said pawl in said other direction comprises a rocker, mechanical connections between said rocker and said pawl, and mechanical con nections between said rocker and said punch element.

lt). A device constructed in accordance with claim 8 wherein the means for moving said pawl in said other direction comprises a rocker, mechanical connections between said rocker and said pawl, and mechanical connections between said rocker and said punch element, the means for moving said pawl in said one direction as said punch element approaches its normal limit of movement comprising a biasing spring.

ll. A card punching device comprising a body, a structure slidably connected to said body for linear movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said structure and mounted for vertical movement, there being a die beneath said punch element and over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, means biasing said punch element upwardly to a normal limit of movement, a pivoted stop plate carried by said body and provided with a plurality of successive steps one of which is a starting step and the remainder of which progress around said wheel in one direction and are arranged progressively closer to the pivot axis of said stop plate, means biasing said structure for linear movement in one direction toward said plate, said structure having a portion normally engaging said starting step, said stop plate having ratchet teeth, a pivoted arm, a pawl carried by said arm and engageable with one of said teeth upon movement of said arm in one direction to turn said stop plate and present the next successive step to engagement with said portion or" said structure said pawl being disengageable from said teeth upon movement of said arm in the other direction, motion transmitting means between said punch element and said arm to move the latter in said other direction upon downward movement of said punch element, and a biasing spring for moving said arm in said one direction as said punch element moves upwardly and approaches its normal limit of movement.

12. A card punching device comprising a body, a structure slidably connected to said body for linear movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said structure and mounted for vertical movement, there being a die beneath lsaid punchv element and over whicha card; isadapteds. top be arranged to, be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, means biasing said-punch element upwardly to a normal limit o fmovement, a pivoted;,stopplatecarried by saidbody and1provided with.l a plurality of successive steps oneof which is a starting step4 and the remainder ofwhich progress; around said.l wheelin one direction. and are arranged' progressively closer to the pivot axis of said stop plate, means biasing saidrstructure for linear movement in one direction toward said plate,vsaid structure having a `portion normally engaging said starting step, said slOP-plate'having ,ratchet teeth, ,a pivoted arm, a pawl carried by said arm and engageable with one off said-teeth uponmovement of said arm in one direction to turn saidstop plate and present the next successive step to engagement with saidportion of said structure,v said -pawlwbeing disengageable from saidteeth upon movementaof saidt armin the other direction, a rocker pivotally support/ed by said body, means connected between said punch element and said rocker to rock the latter in one direction upon downward movement of said punch element, a connection between said rocker and said arm for moving the latter in said other direction upon rocking movement of said rocker in said one direction, and a biasing spring for moving said arm in said one direction when said punch element moves upwardly and approaches its normal limit of movement.

13. A card punching device comprising a body, a structure slidably connected to said body, said body and said structure constituting a pair of relatively linearly movable units, a punch assembly carried by said structure and mounted for linear movement relative thereto transversely of said first-named linear movement, a punch element carried by said punch assembly and mounted for vertical movement, said structure comprising a die plate beneath said punch element and having a single line of die openings adapted to be selectively aligned with said punch element as said punch assembly is moved in its linear movement, a movable stop member carried by one of said units, and means rendered effective upon upward movement of said punch element after it has been moved downwardly to punch the card, in any position of said punch assembly in its linear movement, to present a diterent portion of said member to engagement with a portion of the other unit to effect and limit said linear movement of said structure in one direction with said punch element arranged over a different point on the card.

14. A card punching device comprising a body, a carriage slidably connected to said body for longitudinal movement relative thereto, a cross head slidably connected to said carriage for movement transversely of said body, a punch element carried by said cross head and mounted for vertical movement, said carriage comprising a die plate beneath said punch element and having a single line of die openings transverse to said body and over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, means biasing said punch element for upward movement to a normal limit of movement, a movable member carried by said body and provided with a plurality of steps, said carriage having a normal starting position in which a portion thereof engages one of said steps, a rocker carried by said body and pivoted thereto for rocking movement on an axis transverse thereto, means carried by said cross head and engaging said rocker in any position of said cross head transversely of said body to rock said rocker in one direction upon downward movement of said punch element, operating means movable in one direction for eecting movement of said movable member to move the next step of such member to a position in which it is engageable by said portion of said carriage, means biasing said operating means for movement in said direction, and means connected between said rocker and said operating means for moving the latter in the other direction when said rocker rocks in said one direction whereby the biasing means for said operating means will move the latter in said one direction upon upward movement of said punch element.

l5. A card punching device comprising a body, a carriage slidably connected to said body for longitudinalV movement relative thereto, a cross head slidably connected to said carriage for movement transversely of said body, a punch element carried by said cross head 11 and mounted for vertical movement, said carriage comprising a die plate beneath said punch element and having a single line of die openings transverse to said body and over which a card is adapted to'be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, a plate arranged beneath said body, a shaft supporting said plate for rocking movement relative to said body, said plate having a plurality of successive steps one of which is a starting step and the remainder of which progress in one direction around said plate at progressively decreasing distances from the axis of said shaft, a finger carried by said carriage, means biasing said carriage for linear movement in one direction relative to said body to maintain said linger in engagement with one of said steps, a rocker extending transversely of said body and pivotally connected thereto for rocking movement on an axis transversely of said body, a lever pivotally connected to said cross head and mechanically connected to said punch element and engaging said rocker to rock the latter in one direction upon downward move- 12 ment of said punch, actuating means for turning said plate, means biasing said actuating means for movement in one direction to turn said plate, and mechanical means connecting said rocker to said actuating member to move the latter in the other direction and then release it upon upward movement of said punch element whereby said last-named biasing means will cause said actuating means to turn said plate to present the next successive step to engagement by said finger.

16. A device constructed in accordance with claim 15 wherein said rocker comprises a plate extending throughout the width of said body and bent intermediate its ends to provide a portion overlying said body and engageable with said lever and a depending portion arranged adjacent one end of said body, said mechanical means comprising a rod connected between the depending portion of said rocker and said actuating member.

No references cited. 

